Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-08-10
GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL.
The Scramble for the Mcfarland and
Graves Reward
The Usual Grist of Pardon Cases Before
the Board.

of Cha.. II. Keenan, Of Portland, vino " as con- |
victed Of the murder Of one Johnson. The |
two n.t were engaged in fight and johnson |
was on keenan, pounding him when the latter
drew a knife stabbin1 his antagonist fatally |
He was committed Feb. l4th, 1867. He has
BEEN il prison since that time. The sentence
of death imposed upon him was commuted TO
imprisonment TO life by Gen. Chamberlain.
Mr. Looney of Portland. who spoke for
the prisoner, carefully reviewed the evil
dence, and claimed that it was not consistent
with the theory Of murder, but of man
slaughter Such being the case, Keenan, had
suffered enough, having served nearly three
full terms for the crime of manslaughter.
Gov. Chamberlain, who believed in capital
punishment, was so impressed with the in
justice Of the sentence that he interposed his
broad shield of ext cutive power in keenan's
behalf. The petition in favor Of keenan,
was the strongest ever sent from Thomaston
Ex Warden Rice, called by Mr.. Looney,
strongly urged his pardon for the reasons
stated bv Mr.. Looney. He believed keenan,
had suffered too much. He was surprised at
the verdict, believed it should have been
marslsuVhter inatead of murder. He
spoke in the highest terms of Keenan's
his character. He said Gov. Chamberlain
told him that Kee an was gull y, at most. Of
granddaughter and should have beer pardoned
at the end OF ten years. Mr.. LOoney pro-
due KeeDans record soldier and
sailor in deietc Of his country during the
war of the rebellion and spoke Of the terri
BILE suffering which he endured in the
malarlal prison pens OF Louisiana from the
effects of which he still suffrrs For these
reasons he believed the interests OF justice
would be subserved by Keenan's pardon, and
appealed to the Governor and Council TO
grant pardon to his client
Superintendent SabbOru of the Insane Hos
pital went before the Council in regard to
Leslie Johnson, An inmate of the institution.
johnson was committed to the Hospital from
State Prison June 20, 1886, by a certificate
from the Governor and Council, the warden
regarding him as insane. He had been SEN
fenced 10 prison for three years aad half,
May 30 1885. from Cumberland county, his
offense being the larceny of horse which he
hired in Portland to drive to Gorham. During
the winter the patient began to improve and
for the last two months has been entirely
well Although the law says such man
shall be retained to pris n, yet it was not
very explicit, and he brought the m att, r be-
fore the board.
hearing was granted on the Graves and
Mcfarland reward matter. Hon A. p. Wis.
well of Ellsworth went before the Council,
stating on opening that he was counsel for
Sheriff Fields and Deputy Devereaux. who
claimed $500 of the reward of Gov. Robe for
the capture Of Mcfarland; also TINT h. was
attorney for Herbert Penney. ii cou ,in Of
Graves. who asked for $500 of the reward
offered for the apprehension of the murderer
He did not think the reward of Governor
ROBBIE FLASHED with that Dtfered later. Mr..
Wswell took up the matter of the
first reward. The murder was com
mtted on the 9Th of November,
1886. On Friday Councillor Hatch of
Bangor under instructions from Gov. Robe
decided to offer a reward for the capture of
the murderers, and on Saturday the news
telegraph to the Associated Press. Sunday
night Mcfarland gave himself mp and was
arrested The printed notice appeared Mon
Law morning, the 10Th inst. When he APP
peered b lore the Council. last winter to ask
that the $500 be given to Messrs. Devereaux
and Fields, The situation was different than
now. A.. offered by Gov Robbie the reward
was $1,000 for the delivery of both the men
and not one separately. AS Graves had not
been heard from question arose as 10 the
right of the Hancock officers to the money.
But the legislature passed resolution which
changed the face OF the whole ca,e. This
resolution placed in your hands $1,000 to be
given, as WAS expressly stated, to such per-
sons as are legally or equitablv entitled to the
reward, the language being ITO the person or
persons who shall arrest. return apd deliver
into custody"
Deputy Sheriff Deveresux was called to the
stand Tho related the circumstances of the
capture of Mcfarland, and how he came out
and gave himself up to the officers on Sunday
III 8 n h.. Ja "A 81
he knew n reward had been offerei on Satur
day and WAS certain statement had appeared
in the papers to that effect
Lewis y Barker, Esq, spoke for his client,
the Bangor officer. lie said that If the Han
cock otiic, r. expected to obtain a portion
OF the reward offered by Governor Bodwell
for the arrest of Graves he should object |
but il they simply asked for $500 as a pnr
ton of the Robe reward, then no opposition |
would be made AZ all events he was quite
certain that Fields and Devereaux could
claim no part of the reward, as the publishtd |
notice of its offer did not appear until the |
Monday morning following the arrest on
SUNDAY, and he called on Officer Allen for
testimony. Mr. Allen testified that late on
the SUNDAY night 10 question he met Hon. s. |
c. Hatch at the W mig Office, that gentleman
having come in with his hands full of /
kilograms, which he had just received from
Governor Robe, to insert the notice.
Mr. Wiswcll claimed that Governor Robie |
aut orizcd Ar. Hatch to offer the reward on
the Friday previous to the arrest. and that
from the moment OF such authorization who /
ever captured the men was entitled to the
reward.
The claim o. Herbert c. Penney to
portion Of the reward was heard. He stated
that he was 4 cousin of Graves and through |
letters gained information of his whereA bouts.
Officer Allen heard of this and wrote him the !
following letter:
BANGOR, June ID, 1887.
MR.. PENNEY
Dear Sir-Your brother George of this city in
formed the quiet that you can give me
valuable Information to the whereabouts OF
Calvin Z. Graves. Now will enter into an agree
ment with you that will be satisfactory and at the
time il can be done the quiet and nobody |
will be any the WISER If you can give me such
information will lead TO his capture, you can place
all confidence In TO do the square thing by you
Now If YOU can assist me | will meet you at any |
place you may mention at any time.
Yours truly,
THOMAS ALLEN.
The parties then met at Fish Commissioner |
Stilwelrs office and Officer Allen made the
following contract with Penney.
BANGOR. Jan. Il, 1887.
This is to certify that /. Thomas F. Allen, do here.